In today’s market, the number-one reason why investors tend to stay away from ultra-high yielders is the concern about their dividend safety. Think about it: when most companies pay less than four percent, how is it possible for a company to support a double-digit dividend yield? Indeed, it’s not uncommon for a high-yield stock to cut its dividend. And as income investors with a long-term horizon, you’ll want to stay away from dividend cuts as far as possible.
Still, every once in awhile, you might come across a high-dividend stock whose payout is actually safe. I believe Consolidated Communications Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:CNSL) is a good example of this. Headquartered in Mattoon, Illinois, Consolidated Communications is a broadband and business communications provider. Through its fiber optic network spanning over 36,000 route miles, the company offers a wide range of communications solutions, including voice, video, data, managed services, and cloud computing.